Continuous scan tomosynthesis system and method

Abstract

An imaging system for performing tomosynthesis on a region of an object comprises an x-ray source, motion controller, an x-ray detector and a processing unit. The x-ray source is positioned at a predetermined distance from the object and continuously moves along a path relative to the object at a plurality of predetermined locations. The x-ray source transmits x-ray radiation through the region of the object. The motion controller is coupled to the x-ray source and continuously moves the x-ray source along the path relative to the object. The x-ray source minimizes vibration in the imaging system due to continuous movement. The x-ray detector is positioned at a predetermined distance from the x-ray source and detects the x-ray radiation transmitted through the region of the object, thus acquiring x-ray image data representative of the region of the object. The processing unit is coupled to the x-ray detector for processing the x-ray image data into at least one tomosynthesis image of the region of the object.

1. An imaging system for performing tomosynthesis on a region of an object, said imaging system comprising:
 an x-ray source positioned a predetermined distance from said object and continuously moving along a path relative to said object, said x-ray source transmitting x-ray radiation through said region of said object at a plurality predetermined locations along said path while said x-ray source is continuously moving along said path relative to said object;  
 a motion controller coupled to the x-ray source and continuously moving said x-ray source along said path relative to said object wherein continuously moving said x-ray source minimizes vibration in said imaging system; wherein said motion controller moves said x-ray source at a first velocity at said plurality of predetermined locations along said path and said motion controller moves said x-ray source at a second velocity outside said plurality of predetermined locations along said path, wherein the velocity is not equal to the first velocity;  
 an x-ray detector positioned a predetermined distance from said x-ray source, the x-ray detector detecting said x-ray radiation transmitted through said region of said object, said x-ray detector acquiring x-ray image data representative of said region of said object; and  
 a processing unit coupled to said x-ray detector for processing said x-ray image data into at least one tomosynthesis image of said region of said object.  
 
   
   
     2. The imaging system of  claim 1  wherein the second velocity is greater than the first velocity. 
   
   
     3. The imaging system of  claim 1  wherein said x-ray image data comprises a plurality of low dose projection radiographs. 
   
   
     4. The imaging system of  claim 1  wherein said processing unit performs a deblurring operation on said x-ray image data to reduce the effects of blurring caused at least by continuously moving said x-ray source. 
   
   
     5. The imaging system of  claim 1  wherein exposure time of transmitting said x-ray radiation through said region of said object at said plurality of predetermined locations is a predetermined time. 
   
   
     6. The imaging system of  claim 5  wherein said predetermined time is 7.5 milliseconds. 
   
   
     7. The imaging system of  claim 1  wherein the x-ray detector comprises a digital x-ray detector. 
   
   
     8. The imaging system of  claim 1  wherein said x-ray detector is connected to the motion controller and is selectively movable relative to said object. 
   
   
     9. The imaging system of  claim 1  wherein said x-ray detector is stationary relative to said object. 
   
   
     10. The imaging system of  claim 1  wherein said predetermined distance that said x-ray source is positioned relative to a plane of said object comprises a fixed distance. 
   
   
     11. The imaging system of  claim 1  wherein said path that said x-ray source continuously moves along comprises an arc. 
   
   
     12. The imaging system of  claim 1  wherein said x-ray source comprises an x-ray tube. 
   
   
     13. A method for generating a tomosynthesis image of a region of an object using an imaging system, said method comprising the steps of:
 continuously moving an x-ray source along a path positioned a predetermined distance from said object wherein continuously moving said x-ray source minimizes vibration in said imaging system; wherein the continuously moving said x-ray source comprises: 
 continuously moving said x-ray source at a first velocity at a plurality of predetermined locations along said path; and  
 continuously moving said x-ray source at a second velocity outside said plurality of predetermined locations along said path, wherein said second velocity is not equal to said first velocity;  
 
 transmitting x-ray radiation through said region of said object from said plurality of predetermined locations along said path while said x-ray source is continuously moving along said path relative to said object;  
 detecting said x-ray radiation transmitted through said region of said object;  
 acquiring x-ray image data representative of said region of said object; and  
 processing said x-ray image data into at least one tomosynthesis image of said region of said object.  
 
   
   
     14. The method of  claim 13  wherein said second velocity is greater than said first velocity. 
   
   
     15. The method of  claim 13  wherein said x-ray image data comprises several low close projection radiographs. 
   
   
     16. The method of  claim 13  further comprising the step of performing a deblurring operation on said x-ray image data to reduce the effects of blurring caused at least by continuously moving said x-ray source. 
   
   
     17. The method of  claim 13  wherein the step of transmitting said x-ray radiation comprises transmitting said x-ray radiation for a predetermined time at said plurality of predetermined locations. 
   
   
     18. The method of  claim 17  wherein said predetermined time comprises about 7.5 milliseconds. 
   
   
     19. The method of  claim 13  wherein said step of detecting said x-ray radiation comprises using an x-ray detector to detect said x-ray radiation. 
   
   
     20. The method of  claim 19  wherein said x-ray detector comprises a digital x-ray detector. 
   
   
     21. The method of  claim 19  further comprising the step of selectively moving said x-ray detector relative to said object. 
   
   
     22. The method of  claim 19  wherein said x-ray detector remains stationary relative to said object. 
   
   
     23. The method of  claim 13  wherein said predetermined distance that said x-ray source is positioned relative to a plane of said object comprises a fixed distance. 
   
   
     24. The method of  claim 13  wherein, said step of continuously moving said x-ray source comprises continuously moving said x-ray source along an arc.